The One Piecemanga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Eiichiro Oda. The series takes place in a fictional universe where vast numbers of pirates, soldiers, revolutionaries, and other adventurers fight each other, using various superhuman and supernatural abilities. The series' storyline follows the adventures of a group of pirates as they search for the series eponymous treasure.

The main protagonist of the series is Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who wishes to succeed Gol D. Roger, the deceased King of the Pirates, by finding his treasure, the "One Piece". During the course of series, Luffy gathers himself a diverse crew, named the Straw Hat Pirates, including the three-swords-wielding Roronoa Zoro, the master thief and expert navigator Nami, the cowardly marksman and inventor Usopp, the gourmet cook and martial artist Sanji, the anthropomorphic reindeer and doctor Tony Tony Chopper, the archaeologist Nico Robin, the cyborg shipwright Franky, and the living skeleton musician Brook. Together they sail the seas in pursuit of their dreams, encountering other pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, revolutionaries, secret agents and soldiers of the corrupt World Government, and various other friends and foes.

The majority of the characters are human, but the cast also includes, among others, giants, mermen and mermaids, and "fishmen"—beings half human, half fish. Many of the characters possess supernatural abilities gained by eating so called "Devil Fruits".

Oda had created Helmeppo before he created Captain Morgan, Helmeppo's father. Oda originally named Morgan after "Chop," with the character's full title being "Naval Captain Chop" or "Sailor Chop". "Sailor" in Japanese is suihei(水兵?), and "Suihei Chop" is a fighting technique used by Giant Baba, a Japanese wrestler. Oda made several versions of Morgan before settling on the final design. After an editor told Oda that Morgan, in Oda's words, "looked lame", Oda changed Morgan's design to his final style.[vol. 1:144 (en)]

The protagonists of the One Piece series are all members of the Straw Hat Pirates (麦わらの一味,Mugiwara no Ichimi?), a crew of nine pirates captained by Monkey D. Luffy. The crew's number increases throughout the series, as Luffy recruits new members. Once Usopp joins the Straw Hat Pirates, they gain their own ship, the "Going Merry", which is later destroyed and replaced by a larger and more powerful vessel, the "Thousand Sunny" created by their shipwright Franky.

Monkey D. Luffy (モンキー・D・ルフィ,Monkī Dī Rufi?) is the primary protagonist of the One Piece series. At the age of seven, he admires and tries to join the pirates of the "Red Haired" Shanks. Ridiculed and rejected, he inadvertently eats their treasure, the Paramecia-type Gum-Gum Fruit (ゴムゴムの実,Gomu Gomu no Mi), which gives his body the properties of rubber. His reckless efforts ultimately lead him into grave peril and cause Shanks to lose an arm while rescuing him. After that, Luffy gives up on joining Shanks. Instead he resolves to start a crew of his own and become King of the Pirates.[ch. 1] Displeased by Shanks thus spoiling his grandson, Garp takes Luffy to be raised by Curly Dadan and her mountain bandits, who he strong-arms into taking him in. During Luffy's time there, he becomes sworn brother with Garp's other ward Ace, and local runaway noble Sabo.[ch. 582–589] Ten years later, and still wearing Shanks' treasured head covering, Luffy sets sail for the Grand Line and quickly gains infamy as "Straw Hat" Luffy (麦わらのルフィ,Mugiwara no Rufi).[ch. 2, 7, 96, 98] Eventually, after his strength proves insufficient to save Ace from execution, he spends two years on a secluded island, learning the use of the three colors of Haki from Silvers Rayleigh, before heading to the New World.[ch. 590–602] Luffy is voiced by Mayumi Tanaka.[1] In the 4Kids Entertainment English adaptation, he is voiced by Bella Hudson.[2] In the Funimation Entertainment English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Colleen Clinkenbeard.[3]Also is the captain of the straw hats.

Roronoa Zoro (ロロノア・ゾロ?, named after François l'Olonnais) is a swordsman who uses up to three swords simultaneously, holding one in each hand and a third in his mouth.[ch. 3, 5, 28] To fulfill a promise to Kuina, his deceased childhood rival, he aims to replace "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk as the world's greatest swordsman.[ch. 5, 50] Traveling the seas in search of Mihawk and making a living as a bounty hunter, he becomes infamously known as "Pirate Hunter" Zoro (海賊狩りのゾロ,Kaizoku-Gari no Zoro). Eventually, he comes into conflict with Helmeppo. To keep harm from innocent civilians, Zoro allows himself to be temporarily incarcerated, while Helmeppo plots to have him killed. Zoro is saved from execution by Luffy in exchange for becoming his first crewman. At that point, Zoro makes it clear that he would turn on his captain if he ever stepped between him and his dream.[ch. 2–6] However, Zoro grows fond of his crew and after several defeats in their defense, his priorities change and he convinces Mihawk to take him for a student.[ch. 51f., 485, 597] In the anime television series, his voice actor is Kazuya Nakai.[1] In the 4Kids English adaptation, his name is spelled Roronoa Zolo, and he is voiced by Marc Diraison.[2] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Christopher R. Sabat.[3]

Adopted and raised by Navy seaman turned tangerine farmer Bellemere, Nami (ナミ?) and the older Nojiko, have to witness their mother being murdered by the infamous Arlong, whose pirate gang occupies their island and extracts tribute from the population. Striking a deal with him, Nami, still a child but already an accomplished cartographer who dreams of drawing a complete map of the world, joins the pirates, hoping to eventually buy freedom for her village. Growing up as a pirate-hating pirate, drawing maps for Arlong and stealing treasure from other pirates, Nami becomes an excellent burglar, pickpocket and navigator with an exceptional ability to forecast weather.[ch. 77, 95, 130] After Arlong betrays her, and he and his gang are defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates, Nami joins the latter in pursuit of her dream and acquires infamy herself as "Cat Burglar" Nami (泥棒猫のナミ,Dorobō Neko no Nami).[ch. 94f., 435] Throughout the series, her weapon of choice is a three-sectioned bō staff, later versions of which allow her to produce various weather phenomena.[ch. 190, 368] She is voiced by Akemi Okamura.[1] In the 4Kids English adaptation, her voice actress is Kerry Williams.[2] In the Funimation English adaptation, her voice is supplied by Luci Christian.[3]

During his early childhood, Usopp (ウソップ,Usoppu?) is abandoned by his father, Yasopp, who leaves to join the Red-Haired Pirates. Then, as Banchina (バンキーナ,Bankīna), his mother, falls ill, Usopp starts telling tall tales, expressing his hope that his father would returned and take them out to sea. Even after his mother dies, Usopp does not blame his father for leaving, but strives to become a great pirate himself, despite of his cowardly disposition.[ch. 25, 41] He is a gifted inventor, painter and sculptor.[ch. 42, 106, 190] In combat, he primarily relies on slingshots to fire various kinds of ammunition with great precision.[ch. 332] Eventually, he achieves notoriety under his alter-ego "Sniper King the King of Snipers" (狙撃の王様そげキング,Sogeki no Ō-sama Sogekingu), a hero sniper wearing a golden mask and cape.[ch. 435] In the anime series, his voice actor is Kappei Yamaguchi.[1]Jason Griffith and Sonny Strait provide his voice in the 4Kids and Funimation English adaptations, respectively.[3][4]

In a 2007 Oricon poll, Usopp was voted the 10th most wanted character to receive a spin-off amongst all respondents, and the 5th most popular amongst males.[5] In a review of Funimation Entertainment's second DVD release for Mania Entertainment, Bryce Coulter notes that Usopp "brings lots of comic relief to the series", but also comments that he "can be down right annoying at times."[6]

While serving as an apprentice cook on a passenger ship, nine-year-old Sanji (サンジ?) stands up to a boarding party of pirates led by the infamous "Red Foot" Zeff (赫足のゼフ,Aka-Ashi no Zefu). During the encounter, Sanji is swept into the sea by a massive wave, but Zeff jumps after him because of their common dream of finding the All Blue (オールブルー,Ōru Burū), a legendary sea, containing every kind of fish in the world. While castaway together, the pirate saves Sanji's life yet again by giving him their entire food, surviving himself by eating his own leg. After their eventual rescue, Sanji stays with Zeff for several years and helps him build a floating restaurant, the Baratie(バラティエ). Zeff in turn makes him a first rate cook and teaches him his kick-based fighting style.[ch. 56–59] Mirroring Zeff, Sanji will never refuse a starving person a meal, and in fighting only uses his legs, so as to protect the hands he needs to cook.[ch. 48, 370] He also develops an usual weakness for women, and makes a principle of never harming one, even if it means his death.[ch. 403] Eventually he becomes infamous under the name of "Black Leg" Sanji (黒脚のサンジ,Kuro Ashi no Sanji),[ch. 435] and while training for a period of two years in Emporio Ivankov's Kamabakka Queendom (カマバッカ王国,Kamabakka Ōkoku), develops the Sky Walk (空中歩行,Sukai Wōku), a variant of the Six Powers (六式,Rokushiki) technique Moonwalk (月歩,Geppō), which allows him to essentially run through air.[ch. 635] In the Japanese anime television series, he is voiced by Hiroaki Hirata.[7] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by David Moo.[8] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Eric Vale.[3]

Tony Tony "Cotton Candy Lover"[a] Chopper (トニートニー・チョッパー,Tonī Tonī Choppā?) is a doctor and a blue-nosed reindeer. The power of the Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit (ヒトヒトの実,Hito Hito no Mi) provides him with the ability to transform into a human or human-reindeer hybrid.[ch. 140] A self-developed drug he calls Rumble Ball (ランブル・ボール,Ranburu Bōru) enables Chopper to perform even more transformations.[ch. 149] When complimented, Chopper acts really happy while either telling the person who complimented him to stop trying to make him happy, or that Chopper is not very happy.[ch. 140] His voice actress is Ikue Ōtani.[9][10] In the 4Kids and Funimation English adaptations, his voice is supplied by Lisa Ortiz and Brina Palencia, respectively.[11][12]

When creating Chopper, Oda wanted a mascot who is both cute and fearless.[13] An IGN review of the manga praised Chopper's character as one of the best in the series and said that he was able to be both touching and funny.[14] With Chopper's back story, Oda wanted to illustrate that one need not be blood-related to be considered family.[15]

Growing up in Ohara (オハラ?), home of the world's oldest and largest library, Nico Robin (ニコ・ロビン,Niko Robin) becomes an archaeologist at the age of eight.[ch. 391f.] At some point she gains the power of the Paramecia-type Flower-Flower Fruit (ハナハナの実,Hana Hana no Mi), which allows her to have temporary copies of parts of her body, including her eyes and ears, spring up on surfaces near her.[ch. 170] Behind the backs of her teachers, she acquires from them the outlawed knowledge of how to translate the ancient stones called Poneglyph (歴史の本文,Pōnegurifu), which are scattered around the world, and comes to share their goal of finding the illusive Rio Poneglyph (真の歴史の本文,Rio Pōnegurifu), which is said to tell the world's lost history. However, the World Government finds out about these efforts and sends a battlefleet to stop them. Only Robin escapes the devastating attack that claims the lives of the island's entire population, including that of her mother.[ch. 218, 395] Called "Devil Child" (悪魔の子,Akuma no Ko), traumatized and with a bounty on her head, Robin lives a life on the run, unable to trust anyone. To survive, she cooperates with various pirates and other outlaws, until eventually joining forces with Sir Crocodile, leading Baroque Works with him, under the codename "Ms. All-Sunday" (ミス・オールサンデー,Misu Ōrusandē).[ch. 398] After Baroque Works falls apart and without anywhere else to go, she tags along with the Straw Hat Pirates and grows so fond of them that she gives herself up to the Government in order to save them. Only after they find out about her motives and declare open war on her powerful nemesis to get her back, does she come to realize that she has finally found people who will never sell her out, and becomes a part of the crew.[citation needed] In the anime television series, Robin's voice actress is Yuriko Yamaguchi.[16] In the 4Kids English adaptation, her Baroque Works codename was changed to Miss Sunday and she is voiced by Veronica Taylor.[11] In the Funimation English adaptation, her voice is supplied by Stephanie Young.[17]

The son of pirate parents who abandon him at age ten, Cutty Flam (カティ・フラム,Kati Furamu?), nicknamed Franky (フランキー,Furankī), is taken in as an apprentice by a shipwright who secretly holds the plans for a devastating ancient weapon.[ch. 344, 354, 427] Franky's recklessness eventually provides an opportunity to World Government agents seeking these plans.[ch. 356] Attempting to rescue his master, Franky suffers severe injuries and only survives by rebuilding parts of his body using pieces of scrap metal, turning himself into a cola-powered cyborg with super-human strength.[ch. 336, 339, 352, 357f.] After gaining notoriety as "Cyborg" Franky (サイボーグ フランキー,Saibōgu Furankī) and to fulfill his dream of sailing a ship he built around the world, he constructs the Thousand Sunny, a brigantine-rigged sloop-of-war, for the Straw Hat Pirates and joins the crew.[ch. 435–437] In the anime television series, his voice actor is Kazuki Yao.[18]Patrick Seitz provides his voice in the Funimation English adaptation.[19]

Already a pirate before the time of Roger, "Humming" Brook (ブルック,Burukku?) first enters the Grand Line as vice-captain of the music-themed Rumbar Pirates. Leaving their pet, the infant whale Laboon, behind at Reverse Mountain, they promise to return after sailing around the world.[ch. 487] Instead, they are annihilated, with one exception. The power of the Paramecia-type Revive-Revive Fruit (ヨミヨミの実,Yomi Yomi no Mi) allows "Dead Bones" Brook to rise again and live a second life as a skeleton.[ch. 443] Fifty years later, Brook's goal is still to fulfill his late crew's promise and to that end joins the Straw Hat Pirates.[ch. 459][citation needed] Brook is an excellent musician, who says that he can play any instrument, although he is usually seen playing the violin.[ch. 486] He can even influence people with his music to the point of making them fall asleep.[ch. 454] While separated from the other Straw Hats, and incognito as "Soul King" Brook, he gains world fame, filling concert halls with fans.[ch. 600] He is also a skilled fencer, who uses a shikomizue (a Japanese cane sword) in battle.[citation needed] His reduced weight allows him to jump extraordinarily high and to run across water.[ch. 443, 493] And eventually, he learns how to use his devil fruit ability to leave his skeleton body and explore his surroundings as a disembodied soul.[citation needed] He is voiced by Chō.[20]Ian Sinclair provides his voice in the Funimation English adaptation.[21] The idea of a skeleton musician was first conceived by Oda in 2000, about the time of Laboon's introduction and more than half a decade before the first appearance of Brook.[22]

The Alabasta Kingdom (アラバスタ王国,Arabasuta Oukoku?) is a desert climate island in the Grand Line ruled by Nefeltari Vivi's father, Nefeltari Cobra.[citation needed] The nation's army, the Alabasta Royal Guard, is commanded by Igaram (イガラム,Igaramu?), a man who fights with a saxophone that shoots bullets when played,[citation needed] and guns hidden in his hair that fire when he pulls his neck tie.[citation needed] Next in line after Igaram are Chaka and Pell, dubbed the strongest warrior of Alabasta. Other inhabitants of Alabasta include Vivi's childhood friend and later rebel leader Koza and his father Toto. The Straw Hats are welcomed here thanks to their help saving the kingdom.

Baroque Works (バロック・ワークス,Barokku Wākusu?) is a secret organization of more than two thousand members aimed at staging a coup d'état in the Alabasta Kingdom. Using code names, Mr. 0 and Ms. All-Sunday serve as the organization's president and vice-president respectively. Taking orders directly from them are thirteen male agents, who use the code names Mr. 1 through Mr. 13, and their female partners, who use code names taken from weekdays and holidays. The agents Mr. 1 through Mr. 5 and their partners are called Officer Agents and entrusted with only the most important of missions.[ch. 155] Daz Bones (ダズ・ボーネス,Dazu Bōnesu), whose body possesses the qualities of bladed steel, and Pola (ポーラ,Pōra), whose body can grow spikes, work together as Mr. 1 and Ms. Doublefinger (ミス・ダブルフィンガー,Misu Daburufingā, indirectly named after the Japanese New Year festival).[ch. 160f., 190, 533]Mr. 2 Bon Clay, being a drag queen, serves as his own partner.[ch. 155]Mr. 3 works with Ms. Golden Week (ミス・ゴールデンウィーク,Misu Gōruden Wīku, named after the Japanese Golden Week), an artist who can manipulate emotions using paint.[ch. 124, 161] Mr. 4, who fights using a four-ton baseball bat, works with Ms. Merry Christmas (ミス・メリークリスマス,Misu Merī Kurisumasu), who can transform into a mole or mole-human hybrid.[ch. 160, 183] Mr. 5 can cause explosions with any part of his body, including his mucus and breath. His partner, Ms. Valentine (ミス・バレンタイン,Misu Barentain), can change her weight at will.[ch. 111f., 124]

The Bellamy Pirates (ベラミー海賊団,Beramī Kaizokudan?) is a pirate crew originated from the North Blue, and allies with the Donquixote Pirates. The captain of the crew is "Bellamy the Hyena" (ハイエナのベラミー,Haiena no Beramī, named after Samuel Bellamy), a blonde-haired man with the power of the Paramecia-type Boing-Boing Fruit (バネバネの実,Bane Bane no Mi), which allows him to turn his legs into springs to bounce off surfaces and gain momentum for his attacks.[ch. 222f., 230f.] After his defeat at the hands of Luffy, Doflamingo dismisses Bellamy, who later becomes a fighter in Dressrosa. The first mate of the crew is Sarkies (サーキース,Sākīsu), a blue-haired bespectacled man capable of fighting with a giant knife. Other crew members were Lily, Ross, the navigator Eddy, the chef Hewitt, the sniper Rivers, Mani, and the doctor Muret.

The Black Cat Pirates are a cat-themed crew of pirates led by Captain Kuro (クロ,Kuro?, lit. "Black"), nicknamed Kuro the "Thousand Plans" (百計のクロ,Hyakkei no Kuro?), who is known for his elaborate plans.[ch. 26] Desiring to leave behind his identity and to escape the pirates' lifestyle of always being on the run,[ch. 37] he becomes butler to Kaya, a childhood friend of Usopp.[citation needed] He considers his crew as nothing but pawns to carry out his plans and, if he so pleases, to die for him.[ch. 38] Kuro fights using a pair of gloves, equipped with very long straight, single edged blades. Wearing these, he adopted his signature habit of adjusting his constantly slipping glasses by using only the palm of his hand to avoid cutting his face.[ch. 33] Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network praised Kuro as being "both unspeakably cool and utterly vile".[23] Other members of the crew include Jango, and the Meowban Brothers, Siam (シャム,Shamu?) and Butchie (ブチ,Buchi?).

Buggy's Band of Pirates (バギー海賊団,Bagī Kaizokudan?) are a circus-themed group of pirates led by Buggy the Clown. His second in command is the beast tamer Mohji (モージ,Mōji), who is usually accompanied by his pet lion Richie (リッチー,Richī).[ch. 12] Third in line is the acrobat Cabaji (カバジ,Kabaji).[ch. 15] Following Buggy's escape from Impel Down, the Buggy Pirates are joined by some of his fellow escapees,[ch. 593] and from early on, the group is accompanied by Alvida (アルビダ,Arubida, named after the Scandinavian pirate Awilda), a pirate who is out to make Luffy "her man".[ch. 50, 98]

Cipher Pol Number 9 (サイファーポールナンバーナイン,Saifā Pōru Nanbā Nain?), abbreviated as CP9 (シーピーナイン,Shī Pī Nain), is the secret, ninth unit of the World Government's intelligence agency Cipher Pol.[ch. 346] Specializing in assassination,[ch. 382] they utilize a weapon-themed martial art called the Six Powers (六式,Rokushiki).[ch. 347] The group is commanded by Spandam (スパンダム,Supandamu).[ch. 358] Like his father, Spandine (スパンダイン,Supandain), who is in charge of an earlier incarnation of the group,[ch. 392] lacks the fighting abilities of his subordinates.[ch. 379] He cares only about himself and is obsessed with rising up through the ranks of the World Government.[ch. 391] His sword, Funkfreed (ファンクフリード,Fanku Furīdo), is capable of transforming into an elephant or an elephant-sword hybrid.[ch. 400] Next in command is Rob Lucci (ロブ･ルッチ,Robu Rutchi), a man known for ruthlessly and mercilessly enforcing the "justice" of the World Government.[ch. 422] He can transform into a leopard or leopard-human hybrid and is always accompanied by his pigeon, Hattori (ハットリ).[ch. 327, 349]

Kaku (カク,Kaku) is a skilled swordsman with a long nose, who eventually acquires the ability to transform into a giraffe or a giraffe-human hybrid.[ch. 401] Jabra (ジャブラ,Jabura), a man who uses deceptive tactics in battle,[ch. 413f.] can change into a wolf or wolf-human hybrid.[ch. 401] Blueno (ブルーノ,Burūno), a man with a bovine appearance and the ability to create doors in otherwise solid matter and "air doors" that lead to a separate dimension.[ch. 374] Kumadori (クマドリ) is a man who resembles a kabuki actor and uses an ability called "Life Return" to control every cell in his body.[ch. 406] Fukurō (フクロウ) is an owl-shaped man with a zipper across his mouth, which has to be open in order for him to speak.[ch. 375] Califa (カリファ,Karifa) is a beautiful blond woman, who eventually acquires the ability to create cleansing bubbles that are capable of "cleaning off" a person's strength and turning them into slippery mannequins.[ch. 408] Nero (ネロ), a man with weasel whiskers, is the newest member of CP9 and has yet to master all the Rokushiki skills.[ch. 257]

Initially, the kingdom is ruled by the Riku Family (リク一族,Riku Ichizoku), led by Riku Dold III (リク・ドルド3世,Riku Dorudo Sansei). He has two daughters: Viola (ヴィオラ,Viora), whose ability allows her to see through everything and read the minds of others; and Scarlett (スカーレット,Sukāretto), who marries Kyros (キュロス,Kyurosu), the best fighter of Dressrosa, and has a daughter, Rebecca (レベッカ,Rebekka). Years later Donquixote Doflamingo stages a mutiny and dethrones King Dold.

Other inhabitants include Tank Lepanto (タンク・レパント,Tanku Repanto), the former commander of Dressrosa's Self-Defense Army; and Gatz (ギャッツ,Gyattsu), the announcer at the Corrida Colosseum.

The Donquixote Pirates (ドンキホーテ海賊団,Donkihōte Kaizoku-dan), or Donquixote Family (ドンキホーテファミリー,Donkihōte Famirī), are a pirate crew led by Donquixote Doflamingo.[ch. 762] The crew is divided into three groups that are each led by one of the top three officers.[ch. 732]

Trébol's Army is led by Trébol (トレーボル,Torēboru), a man who can turn into an adhesive and highly sticky liquid. It is formed by Sugar (シュガー,Shugā), a girl who can turn people into toys; Jora (ジョーラ,Jōra), a woman who transforms things into modern art; and Violet, who possess the ability to see through everything and read other's minds, she is also the princess of Dressrosa Viola.

Diamante's Army is led by Diamante (ディアマンテ,Diamante), whose ability allows him to flatten, reform and fold anything while still retaining its original characteristics. It is formed by Lao G (ラオ・G,Rao Jī), an old skilled martial artist; Machvise (マッハバイス,Mahhabaisu), a strong man who can change his weight; Senor Pink (セニョール・ピンク,Senyōru Pinku), a man who can swim on the ground or through walls; and Dellinger (デリンジャー,Derinjā), a boy who possesses both human and Fighter Fish men genes and fights with kicks.

Pica's Army is led by Pica (ピーカ,Pīka), who can absorb, manipulate and merge with stone. It is formed by Baby 5 (ベビー5,Bebī Faibu), a girl who can change any part of her body into any kind of weapon; Buffalo (バッファロー,Baffarō), whose ability allows him to turn into a rotating man; and Gladius (グラディウス,Guradiusu), a man who can make his own body or any inorganic object he touches rupture and explode.

Lying on the ocean floor halfway through the Grand Line, Fishman Island is inhabited primarily by fishmen (魚人,gyojin?) and merefolk (人魚,ningyo).[citation needed] The average fishman has ten times the strength of a human, can breathe underwater, and swim very fast.[ch. 70f., 495]

The Foxy Pirates (フォクシー海賊団,Fokushī Kaizokudan?) are a crew of pirates specializing in a pirate game known as the "Davy Back Fight" wherein pirate crews can win crewmen from their opponents.[ch. 306] The crew is led by Foxy (フォクシー,Fokushī?), nicknamed "Silver Fox" (銀ギツネ,Gin Gitsune?), a cheater and trickster.[ch. 307] Though he acts supremely confident most of the time, he is extremely sensitive to insults or criticism.[ch. 306] Foxy ate the Slow-Slow Fruit (ノロノロの実,Noro Noro no Mi?) and gained the ability to emit microscopic particles from his hands which can temporarily slow down any object, reducing the object's velocity, while preserving its kinetic energy.[ch. 309] Other members of Foxy's numerous crew include Porche, the crew's idol, and Hamburg, who occasionally serves as Foxy's mount.

God's Army (神の軍団,Kami no Gundan?) is the personal army of Eneru, consisting of himself, Kami's Vassals:[d] Satori,[e] Gedatsu,[f] Shura,[g] and Ohm,[h] and the fifty Enforcers,[i] led by Enforcer Commander Yama.[j][ch. 246, 254, 257] In combat, the Vassals and Enforcers rely heavily on various types of dials. The Vassals and Eneru, additionally, are skilled users of the Color of Observation Haki, which they refer to as Mantra.[k][ch. 257, 597]

Impel Down (インペルダウン,Inperudaun?) is one of three main locations of the World Government and the world's greatest prison.[ch. 525] Chief Warden of Impel Down is Magellan (マゼラン,Mazeran), a man with the ability of the Paramecia-type Venom-Venom Fruit (ドクドクの実,Doku Doku no Mi?), which allows him to generate and manipulate poison as well as making him immune to any type of poison. His ability does not, however, spare him from diarrhea caused by poisoned food. As a result, he spends about ten hours per day in the bathroom relieving himself.[ch. 528] Second in charge of Impel Down is the exceedingly ambitious Vice Chief Warden Hannyabal (ハンニャバル,Hannyabaru).[ch. 526] He often shows off how tough he is to the prisoners, which earns him admiration amongst the guards.[ch. 536] However, he cares more about his own position than the security of the prison.[ch. 535] His weapon of choice is a double bladed naginata.[ch. 543] Below Hannyabal stand the Chief Guards Sadie (サディ,Sadi) and Saldeath (サルデス,Sarudesu). Sadie is a very sadistic woman who uses a thin, torturing whip in battle.[ch. 543] Saldeath wields a trident, which also functions as a flute to direct his subordinates, the Blugori, blue, legless creatures resembling gorillas.[ch. 528, 543]

The Krieg Pirates are a pirate crew led by Don Krieg (首領・クリーク,Don Kurīku?), nicknamed "Foul Play" Krieg (ダマシ討ちのクリーク,Damashi Uchi no Kurīku?), a man well known for his underhanded tactics.[ch. 46] Krieg does not care for his crew and bullies them to fear and obey him.[ch. 49] He punishes those who fail him and those who show weakness.[ch. 61f.] Krieg wears a gilded suit of steel armor that is filled with hidden weapons, such as guns, bombs, etc.[ch. 47] Krieg also uses a weapon called the "Mighty Battle Spear", that not only is a spear, but can release explosions and still stay intact. Other members of the crew include Krieg's chief commander, Ghin, and the Pearl.

The Kuja (九蛇?) are a tribe of women living on Amazon Lily (アマゾン・リリー,Amazon Rirī), a China-inspired island, where men are forbidden.[ch. 514f., 535] The island is ruled by Boa Hancock, who also captains a group of pirates made up of the strongest fighters of the Kuja, including her two younger sisters who poses the Zoan-type abilities of the Snake-Snake Fruit (ヘビヘビの実,Hebi Hebi no Mi), allowing the middle sister, Boa Sandersonia (ボア・サンダーソニア,Boa Sandāsonia), to transform into an anaconda or anaconda-human hybrid, and the youngest sister, Boa Marigold (ボア・マリーゴールド,Boa Marīgōrudo), to turn into a cobra or cobra-human hybrid.[ch. 519]

The Navy[l](海軍,Kaigun?), translated as the "Marines" in Funimation's English dub,[m] are a maritime force under the command of the World Government. Currently the position of fleet admiral, who is the leader of the organization, is occupied by Akainu. The greatest forces are the three admirals, which are currently Kizaru, Fujitora, and Ryokugyu. The corrupted Commander Ax-Hand Morgan (father of Helmeppo) is the first high ranking commander of the Navy depicted in the series until stripped of his status when defeated by Luffy.

The New Fishman Pirates (新魚人海賊団,Shin-Gyojin Kaizoku-dan?) are a pirate group of fishmen-supremacists lead by the great white shark-fishman Hody Jones (ホーディ・ジョーンズ,Hōdi Jōnzu).[ch. 631] Hody is responsible for assassinating Otohime, the queen of Fishman Island. The pirates eventually make a pact with Vander Decken IX (バンダー・デッケン九世,Bandā Dekken Kyūsei), another fishman pirate with the power of the Paramecia-type Target-Target Fruit (マトマトの実,Mato-Mato no Mi) to lock on any target at will, so long as he touches the target first, to plot the complete destruction of Fishman Island by initiating a coup d'etat. Jones broadcasts a message to the island, announcing that he will execute its current ruler Neptune to take over the kingdom, and then kill the Straw Hat Pirates. However, Luffy eventually teams up with Jimbei, to launch a combined assault on the pirates – defeating them and saving Fishman Island.

Punk Hazard (パンクハザード島,Panku Hazādo-tō?) is an island half of which is hot and the other half is cold, because Akainu and Aokiji fought in that place for the post of fleet admiral. On the island lives Caesar Clown, and his henchmen have aspects of mythological creatures like centaurs and satyrs, because Trafalgar Law gave them animal parts. Next in line after Caesar is Monet (モネ,Mone), a harpy-like girl with the ability to transform into snow. The leader of the army of centaurs is Brownbeard (茶ひげ,Chahige?), a pirate who has crocodile legs added by Law.

The island is also inhabited by children who are kidnapped by Caesar, which he uses for his experiments.

The Red-Haired Pirates (赤髪海賊団,Akagami Kaizokudan?) are a group of pirates led by "Red-Haired" Shanks. Other members include Ben Beckman (ベン・ベックマン,Ben Bekkuman), the first mate; Lucky Roux (ラッキー・ルウ,Rakkī Ruu), a large man often seen eating; and Yasopp (ヤソップ,Yasoppu), a skilled sniper and father of Usopp.

The "Revolutionary Army" (革命軍,Kakumeigun?) is an army of globally operating revolutionaries, openly aiming to overthrow the World Government. To that end, they incite revolutions in countries around the world. The organization is led by the world's most wanted man, Monkey D. Dragon (モンキー・D・ドラゴン,Monkī Dī Doragon?), who is known to the public only as Dragon.[ch. 432] Also unknown to the public are his family ties; he is the son of Garp and father of Luffy.[ch. 432] Next in command after Dragon is Sabo (サボ,Sabo?), Luffy's brother. Koala (コアラ,Koara?) is the Substitute Fishman Karate Instructor of the army.

Other revolutionaries are Dragon's comrade Emporio Ivankov (エンポリオ・イワンコフ,Enporio Iwankofu?), nicknamed "Miracle Person" (奇跡の人,Kiseki no Hito?), who is the queen of the drag queen(お釜,okama?) kingdom Kamabakka (カマバッカ?), and can inject hormones into a person's body by making his finger nails into syringes, creating various effects like increased healing abilities, increased vigor, or changing the person's gender[ch. 537–539]; Inazuma (イナズマ?),[ch. 539], who can turn his hands into giant scissors capable of cutting and deforming almost anything as if it were paper[ch. 540]; and Bartholomew Kuma.[citation needed]

The Seven Warlords of the Sea (王下七武海,Ōka Shichibukai?) are a group of up to seven powerful pirates sanctioned by the World Government. They hand over a fraction of their loot to the Government. Other pirates consider the Warlords to be "government dogs".[ch. 69] For their allegiance, the World Government pardons these pirates for their crimes and removes the bounties from their heads.[ch. 342] The Seven Warlords are loosely based on the privateers of Europe, government endorsed pirates considered heroes in their homeland and pillagers in others.[ch. 260] Initially, the group's members are Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, Gecko Moriah, Jimbei, Boa Hancock, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Bartholomew Kuma.[ch. 69, 113, 234, 455, 516] Following the exposure of Baroque Works, Crocodile is replaced by Blackbeard, who leaves the group again shortly thereafter, along with Jimbei, who resigns to side with Whitebeard against the World Government, and Moriah, who is discarded by the World Government and only narrowly escapes an assassination attempt.[ch. 474, 557, 576, 581, 595] Two of the open spots are eventually filled by Trafalgar Law and Buggy the Clown.[ch. 700]

Skypiea (スカイピア,Sukaipia?) is a land located in the sky above the Grand Line, consisting of Angel Island (エンジェル島,Enjeru Tō?), one of several solid clouds, and Upper Yard, a lost part of the Grand Line island Jaya, believed by most to have sunk into the ocean. Skypiea is inhabitited by the original inhabitants of Angel Island, including Gan Fall, Pagaya, his daughter Conis (コニス,Konisu?) and their pet, the "cloud fox" Suu (スー,Sū?).[citation needed] Also living in Skypiea the Shandorians, the original inhabitants of Jaya led by Wyper (ワイパー,Waipā?), an extremely violent man who is initially distrustful of outsiders. With the exception of Gan Fall, most of the inhabitants of Skypiea are shown to have bird-like wings on their back.

The Sun Pirates are a band of pirates consisting of fishmen and mermen, led by Fisher Tiger (フィッシャー・タイガー,Fisshā Taigā?), and later by Jimbei. They attack any pirate ship they see, but regardless of whoever is on it, they never directly kill. Their Sun insignia was created to cover up the mark of the Celestial Dragon's slave, "Hoof of the Soaring Dragon", since Tiger Fisher bore the mark due to being a slave. But he had escaped the World Nobles and during his escape he freed other mermen/fishmen and Boa Hancock and her two sisters. With the Sun insignia the World Government was unable to claim the slaves due to mass confusion if they were Sun Pirates or not.[ch. 620] Other members include Arlong, Aladdin, Macro, Choo, Kuroobi and Hatchan. The group eventually disbands when Jimbei joined the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

The crew of the island-sized ship Thriller Bark(スリラーバーク,Surirā Bāku?), captained by Gecko Moriah, consists of mostly zombies, numbering in the hundreds, created from corpses – patched up by Moriah's subordinate, the medical genius Hogback (ホグバック,Hogubakku) – given unlife in the form of shadows stolen using Moriah's devil fruit ability.[ch. 446, 449, 455] Placed in charge of the zombies are Moriah's other subordinates, "Graveyard" Absalom (アブサロム,Abusaromu), a man augmented by Hogback with various animal parts and capable of turning himself and anything he touches invisible, and "Ghost Princess" Perona (ペローナ,Perōna), a woman who can create ghosts with various abilities.[ch. 449, 461, 464f.]

Among the zombies created by Hogback and Moriah are Victoria Cindry (ビクトリア･シンドリー,Bikutoria Shindorī), a former famous stage actress whom Dr. Hogback was in love with; Ryuma (リューマ,Ryūma), a samurai from the Wano Country; Lola (ローラ,Rōra), a warthog-like zombie in love with Absalom; and Oars (オーズ,Ōzu), a giant formerly feared by all.

The Wano Country (ワノ国,Wano Kuni?) is a nation in the New World. It is a country not affiliated with the World Government. Wano Country has its own warriors, the samurai, who are swordsmen so strong that not even the Marines go near them. It was first mentioned by Hogback, as Ryuma was from there. Aside from Ryuma, the only other known residents are Kin'emon of Foxfire (狐火の錦えもん,Kitsune-bi no Kin'emon) and his son Momonosuke (モモの助,Momonosuke), who met the Straw Hat Pirates in Punk Hazard, and temporary accompanied them on their journey. Other known samurai is Kanjuro (カン十郎,Kanjūrō), Kin'emon's friend, who was kidnapped by the Donquixote Pirates.

The Wapol Pirates (ワポル海賊団,Waporu Kaizokudan?) is a pirate crew lead by Wapol, the former King of Drum Island. He ate the Paramecia-type Munch-Munch Fruit (バクバクの実,Baku Baku no Mi?) which allows him to eat virtually anything and take on its properties. His crew mostly consists of his former army. His closest underlings are Chess, who is a skilled archer and Kuromarimo, whose fighting style revolves around throwing parts of his afro hair-cut.

The Whitebeard Pirates (白ひげ海賊団,Shirohige Kaizokudan?) are a group of pirates led by Whitebeard and sixteen division commanders, each in charge of one hundred men.[24] Members of the Whitebeard Pirates include the first division commander "Phoenix" Marco (不死鳥のマルコ,Fushichō no Maruko), who can transform into a phoenix or phoenix-human hybrid and is a skilled user of Haki,[ch. 434, 554] the second division commander "Fire Fist" Ace,[ch. 157] the third division commander "Diamond" Jozu (ダイヤモンド・ジョズ,Daiyamondo Jozu), who can turn parts of his body into diamond,[ch. 553] and Blackbeard who leaves and starts his own crew after murdering the fourth division commander Thatch (サッチ,Satchi).[ch. 440]

The World Government (世界政府,Sekai Seifu?) is a globally operating organization, affiliated with over 170 countries from around the world.[ch. 398] It is administered by a council of five older men known as the Five Elders (五老星,Gorōsei).[ch. 233] Eight centuries after its foundation by a group of twenty kings, their descendants, the World Nobles (世界貴族,Sekai Kizoku), also known as the Celestial Dragons (天竜人,Tenryūbito), live luxurious lives and abuse their power.[ch. 498]

Kuzan (クザン?), better known as Admiral Aokiji (青雉, lit. "Blue Pheasant"), is a lazy naval officer with the ability of the Logia-type Chilly-Chilly Fruit (ヒエヒエの実,Hie Hie no Mi), which allows him to freeze objects, to transform into it or to create it.[ch. 319f., 393] Upon his retirement, Sengoku advocates for Aokiji to succeed him as Fleet Admiral.[ch. 594] Aokiji duels with Akainu for the position, but loses. Not wanting to serve under Akainu, he leaves the Navy.[ch. 650] Aokiji's appearance is modeled after Yusaku Matsuda.[ch. 558] He is voiced by Takehito Koyasu.[27] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is initially supplied by Bob Carter, and later by Jason Douglas.[12]

The "Tyrant" (暴君,Bōkun?), Bartholomew Kuma (バーソロミュー・くま,Bāsoromyū Kuma, kuma(熊) meaning bear), is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea; the only one with a reputation for complete obedience to the World Government, when in fact he is an officer of the Revolutionary Army.[ch. 234, 473f., 603] The power of the Paramecia-type Paw-Paw Fruit (ニキュニキュの実,Nikyu Nikyu no Mi) allows his palms to repel anything, from physical objects such as people or air to abstracts such as pain and fatigue.[ch. 484f.] He can use this ability to safely transport himself or others over long distances.[ch. 514] Kuma is the model for the Pacifista (パシフィスタ,Pashifisuta), a class of experimental cyborgs created by the Government. Their bodies are made of a substance harder than steel and from their mouths they can shoot blasts so powerful, they melt metal.[ch. 485] The other Pacifista look just like Kuma, sharing his towering, bear-like stature, but lack the Paw-Paw Fruit's ability. Instead, they poses the ability to shoot laser beams from their palms.[ch. 508f.] At some point during his gradual conversion into the human weapon "PX-0", Kuma's personality is destroyed, leaving him a programmable fighting machine under the Government's control.[ch. 559f.] In the original Japanese series, he is voiced by Hideyuki Hori.[31]Joel McDonald provides his voice in the Funimation English adaptaion.[citation needed]

Marshall D. Teech (マーシャル・D・ティーチ,Māsharu Dī Tīchi?), better known as Blackbeard (黒ひげ,Kurohige), is the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates. As a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, he kills his crew mate Thatch to get hold of the Devil Fruit he has sought for several decades, the Dark-Dark Fruit (ヤミヤミの実,Yami Yami no Mi). It grants him the ability to create and control gravity fields, which are represented as flowing darkness, as well as the ability to disable the Devil Fruit powers of others, as long as he is touching the person. For betraying Whitebeard's crew and the murder of his crewmate, he is pursued by Ace who eventually confronts him.[ch. 159, 440f.] After defeating Ace and turning him in to the World Government, he is appointed the replacement for Crocodile as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a position he promptly abuses to expand his crew with prisoners from Impel Down and resigns once he is finished. After killing Whitebeard with the help of his new crew, Blackbeard somehow adds his former captain's Devil Fruit ability to his own and manages to take Whitebeard's place as one of the Four Emperors.[ch. 486, 576f., 650] The character is based on an named after the historical pirate Edward "Blackbeard" Teach.[ch. 474] In the Japanese anime television series, his voice actor is Akio Ōtsuka.[32] In its Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Cole Brown.[33]

Boa Hancock (ボア・ハンコック,Boa Hankokku?) is a member of the all-female Kuja Tribe from the island of Amazon Lily.[ch. 515f.] Sold to the Celestial Dragons during childhood, she and her sisters are force-fed devil fruits and branded as slaves.[ch. 521] Eventually freed by Fisher Tiger, the three return to their people, where Hancock becomes ruler and is referred to by her subjects as "Snake Princess" (蛇姫,Hebihime).[ch. 516, 521] Leading the Kuja Pirates, Hancock quickly gains infamy as the "Pirate Empress" (海賊女帝,Kaizoku Jotei) and is offered membership to the Seven Warlords of the Sea.[ch. 516, 522] Despite her resentment towards the World Government for her past enslavement, which she keeps a secret even from her kinswomen, Hancock accepts the position to protect her people, but when called upon to participate in the Government's war against the Whitebeard Pirates, she initially refuses and only reconsiders after falling in love with Luffy, who enlists her help to infiltrate Impel Down.[ch. 516f., 520–522] Hancock is capable of utilizing Haki, including the Color of the Supreme King.[ch. 519] The ability of the Paramecia-type Love-Love Fruit (メロメロの実,Mero Mero no Mi) allows her to turn anyone charmed by her into stone.[ch. 516, 521] In the Japanese anime television series, her voice actress is Kotono Mitsuishi.[34] In the Funimation English adaptation, her voice is supplied by Lydia Mackay.

Bentham (ベンサム,Bensamu?), better known under his codename "Mr. 2 Bon Clay" (Mr. 2 ボン・クレー,Misutā Tsū Bon Kurē), is a drag queen (オカマ,okama) and a skilled martial artist with the power of the Paramecia-type Clone-Clone Fruit (マネマネの実,Mane Mane no Mi), which allows him to transform into an exact copy of anyone whose face he once touched with his right hand.[ch. 156, 532] He has a flamboyant attitude which includes singing and performing ballet moves. He is the only Baroque Works Officer Agent without a female partner,[ch. 155] because as a transvestite, he fills both roles by himself. Likewise, his codename is a composite of a male Officer Agent's number, "Mr. 2", and a female's holiday, "Bon Clay", which is the end of the Bon Festival.[citation needed] In the original Japanese series, he is voiced by Kazuki Yao.[9] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by Kevin Kolack.[35] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Barry Yandell.[12]

Buggy (バギー,Bagī?) is a pirate with a preference for fighting with knives, a love of cannons, and a prominent red nose. While a junior member of the Roger Pirates, Buggy gets hold of a devil fruit and a treasure map, intending to sell the fruit and search for the treasure, but Shanks accidentally causes him to swallow the fruit and drop the map into the sea, earning Buggy's resentment.[ch. 19, 434] Having thus consumed the Paramecia-type Chop-Chop Fruit (バラバラの実,Bara Bara no Mi), Buggy can separate his body into levitating parts and control them independently as long as they remain close and at least one of his feet is on the ground. This ability also makes him immune to cutting attacks; any such attack will only separate him into parts.[ch. 526f.] Following the Roger Pirates' dissolution, Buggy becomes captain of his very own Buggy Pirates and achieves limited notoriety as "Buggy the Clown" (道化のバギー,Dōke no Bagī).[ch. 9] Eventually his involvement in the first mass breakout of Impel Down and the Paramount War earns him a sizable following of escapees, worldwide infamy as "The Genius Jester" (千両道化バギー,Senryō Dōke), and a seat among the Seven Warlords of the Sea.[ch. 549, 700] In the anime series, his voice actor is Shigeru Chiba.[1] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by David Wills.[36] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Mike McFarland.[3]

Buggy has ranked highly in the Weekly Shonen Jump One Piece Popularity Poll. In the 4th Japanese [Popularity Poll, Buggy is ranked the 21st-most popular character in One Piece.[37] His best ranking in a fan poll was 7th place in the first poll.[38] and his worst placement was place 30 in the third poll.[39] Various merchandise based on Buggy’s appearance has been created, including action figures and phone straps. Oda said that Buggy is his favorite antagonist, because of all of the antagonists Buggy is the easiest for him to draw.[40]

Buggy has received much praise and criticism. Carl Kimmlinger of Anime News Network said that Luffy’s fight with Buggy "sets the series' precedent for battles that are simultaneously tense and hilarious."[41] Hope Chapman of the same site said that seeing Buggy during the Jaya Arc was "entertaining".[42] Bryce Coulter of Mania Entertainment praised Chibi Buggy’s Adventure as one of the best arcs, and Buggy for his "slap-stick humour" and "Voltron-esque combining sequence".[43] He was "disappointed" that Buggy, Smoker, and the Strawhats did not have a conflict at sea.[44] On Luffy and Buggy’s alliance in Impel Down, Chris Beveridge said, "the two do make an amusing pairing as their flight through the first level goes on." He went on to say, "he never really cared for Buggy", but the Impel Down arc turned him into an "engaging character".[45] He said that he believes that Buggy's being set up as a regular character because he was "afraid he might lose him".[46] Pedro Cortes of Japanator said, "Buggy is always good for a laugh, so his bit was a welcomed respite from the oppressive marines beating down Luffy and the Whitebeard pirates."[47]

Caesar Clown (シーザー・クラウン,Shīzā Kuraun?) is a navy scientist capable of transforming into gas due to Logia type Gas-Gas Fruit (ガスガスの実,Gasu Gasu no Mi?). Is a former colleague of Dr. Vegapunk, and leading expert on chemical weapons of mass destruction. He works for Donquixote Doflamingo creating artificial Devil Fruits called Smiles, and using kidnapped children in Punk Hazard for his experiments. He is also a member of the Donquixote Pirates. After his defeat at the hands of Monkey D. Luffy, he is taken to Dressrosa by the Straw Hat Pirates and Trafalgar Law to make a hostage swap with Doflamingo. In the anime series, his voice actor is Ryūsei Nakao.

Sir Crocodile (サー･クロコダイル,Sā Kurokodairu?), is a pirate with the ability of the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit (スナスナの実,Suna Suna no Mi), allowing him to manipulate sand,[ch. 170] absorb moisture with his right hand,[ch. 201] and, as long as he is not wet, turn his body into sand.[ch. 199] He wears a large golden alloy hook in place of a left hand,[ch. 160] which contains a potent poison and a dagger underneath.[ch. 204] Initially a member of The Seven Warlords of the Sea,[ch. 113] his title is revoked when it is discovered that he, under the codename of "Mr. 0" (ミスター・ゼロ,Misutā Zero),[ch. 127, 211] heads the criminal organization called Baroque Works.[ch. 113] In the original Japanese series, he is voiced by Ryūzaburō Ōtomo.[16] In the 4Kids adaptation, Crocodile is voiced by Michael Alston Baley.[35] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by John Swasey.[12]

Django (ジャンゴ,Jango?) is a hypnotist with a habit of moonwalking. Introduced as first mate of the Black Cat Pirates, he eventually befriends the Navy officer Fullbody (フルボディ,Furubodi) and joins him in the service. Django's weapons of choice are chakrams which he uses for throwing, slashing and hypnotizing his enemies. He is voiced by Kazuki Yao in the Japanese version. In the 4Kids English version, he is voiced by Oliver Wyman. In the Funimation English adaptation, his name is spelled "Jango" and his voice is supplied by Kenny Green.[3]

Dracule "Hawk-Eye"[n] Mihawk (ジュラキュール・ミホーク,Jurakyūru Mihōku) is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the strongest swordsman in the world.[ch. 50, 52, 69] He is a pale skinned man who travels in a small boat shaped like a coffin.[ch. 50, ?] His primary weapon resembles a zweihänder, but with a black, curved, single-edged blade.[citation needed] He trained Zoro during the two year time skip; he knew Zoro would only forfeit his pride and ask for guidance in the way of the sword if it meant helping another. Takeshi Aono provided his voice in the anime until 2010,[7] after which he was replaced by Hirohiko Kakegawa.[48] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by Wayne Grayson.[49] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by John Gremillion.[3]

Donquixote Doflamingo (ドンキホーテ・ドフラミンゴ,Donkihōte Dofuramingo?) is the captain of the Donquixote Pirates, the usurper king of the island Dressrosa, and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.[ch. 234][citation needed] The String-String Fruit (イトイトの実,Ito Ito no Mi) grants him the ability to control others using movements with his fingers similar to that of a puppeteer; it also grants him the ability to control sharp thin strings from his fingertips that can cut people, create clones of himself and attach to the clouds in the sky to allow him to fly.[ch. 231][citation needed] He believes that the "Great Pirate Era" is nearing its end and a new age is about to begin.[ch. 303] He is a broker and goes under the alias of "Joker". He owns a large auction house at the Sabaody Archipelago, where humans and other species are sold as slaves.[ch. 504] He is voiced by Hideyuki Tanaka.[50] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Robert McCollum.[33]

Donquixote Rocinante (ドンキホーテ・ロシナンテ,Donkihōte Roshinante?) is the younger brother of Donquixote Doflamingo, a commander of the Donquixote Pirates occupying the Hearts Seat under the code name "Corazon" (コラソン,Korason), and an undercover agent from the Navy with the rank of Commander who directly reports to the then Admiral Sengoku. He ate the Calm-Calm Fruit which grants him the ability to create a wall cancelling all sounds. He also makes use of this ability to make his elder brother believe that he has lost his ability to speak after being devastated during their childhood. Donquixote Rocinante is the second person to occupy the Hearts Seat, his predecessor being Vergo. Donquixote Rocinante is clumsy and is most often seen lighting his feather cloak up while trying to light a cigarette. In the Japanese anime television series, he is voiced by Koichi Yamadera.

Eneru (エネル?) is the "God" of Skypiea. Though "God" is traditionally only the title for the island's ruler, Eneru takes it literally, forcing the population to worship and serve him.[ch. 254f., 274] The Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit (ゴロゴロの実,Goro Goro no Mi) grants him the ability to manipulate, generate, and transform into electricity.[ch. 266] Additionally, he can use Color of Observation Haki, called Mantra (マントラ,Mantora) on Skypiea.[ch. 257, 597] Used in conjunction, these abilities extend his hearing over the entire country and allow him to immediately punish those who speak up against him.[ch. 278] Eneru's overly long earlobes reach down to his chest, similar to some depictions of Buddha, and like the god of thunder and storms, Raijin, he wears a ring of drums, showing a tomoe on the drumhead, on his back.[ch. 254] In the original Japanese series, Eneru is voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa.[51] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice actor is J. Michael Tatum.[52]

Gecko Moriah (ゲッコー･モリア,Gekkō Moria?, a play on kōmori(蝙蝠)) is the captain of the island-sized ship Thriller Bark and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.[ch. 448] The Shadow-Shadow Fruit (カゲカゲの実,Kage Kage no Mi) grants him the ability to control his shadow, allowing it to act completely independent from his body, and to control the shadows of others.[ch. 455, 463] After his entire crew is annihilated by Kaido, he creates a completely obedient, immortal army of zombies by implanting stolen shadows into corpses.[ch. 457, 481] In the anime series, his voice actor is Katsuhisa Hōki.[53] In the Funimation English adaptation, he is voiced by Chris Guerrero.[citation needed]

Gol D. Roger (ゴール・D・ロジャー,Gōru Dī Rojā?), after gaining worldwide infamy as captain of the Roger Pirates, becomes better known as Gold Roger (ゴールド・ロジャー,Gōrudo Rojā), King of the Pirates (海賊王,Kaizoku-Ō).[ch. 1, 154, 506] Suffering from a terminal disease, he takes his crew on a complete voyage through the Grand Line before disbanding it and turning himself in to the World Government, who claim to have captured him.[ch. 506] At his execution, before Rouge gives birth to Roger's son Ace and 22 years before the formation of the Straw Hat Pirates, Roger spawns the "Great Pirate Era" by announcing that his treasure, the One Piece, is up for the taking.[ch. 1, 506, 550] It is said after Roger's death that only Whitebeard could match him in a fight and that he had the ability to hear "the voice of all things", which allowed him and his crew to learn the secret history of the world.[ch. 233, 507] He is initially voiced by Chikao Ōtsuka.[1] In the 4Kids adaptation, Roger is voiced by Greg Carey.[2] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Sean Hennigan.[3]

The son of a corrupt Navy captain, Helmeppo (ヘルメッポ,Herumeppo?) is introduced as a coward, hiding behind his father's wealth and power. Losing his luxurious life, due to his father's arrest, he reluctantly joins the navy, where he and Koby become protégés of Garp. He is voiced by Kōichi Nagano in the Japanese version. In the English versions of the series, he is voiced by Sean Schemmel in the 4Kids dub,[2] and by Troy Baker and Mike McFarland in the Funimation dub.[3]

Jimbei (ジンベエ,Jinbee?) is a yakuza-esque whale shark fishman.[ch. 528] A master of Fishman Karate (魚人空手,Gyojin Karate), he is capable of manipulating water as if it were a tangible cloth.[ch. 546] An ability usually more associated with merfolk, Jimbei can communicate with fish and enlist the help of whale sharks.[ch. 547–549] After growing up in a rough part of Fishman Island, Jimbei first joins the island's royal army and later the Sun Pirates, of which he becomes captain following the death of Fisher Tiger.[ch. 624] In exchange for the World Government granting him Warlord-status, Jimbei eventually disbands the crew.[ch. 69] He resigns the position again to side against the Government during its war with the Whitebeard Pirates, the protectors of Fishman Island.[ch. 557] Two years later, he turns down an invitation to join the Straw Hat Pirates, stating that he needs to take care of unfinished business before joining them.[ch. 649] In the Japanese anime television series, Jimbei is initially voiced by Daisuke Gōri, later by Katsuhisa Hōki.[54][55]

Koby (コビー,Kobī?) is the first friend Luffy makes on his journey, finding him forced to work as a chore boy on Alvida's ship. Inspired by Luffy and with his help, Koby escapes and joins the Navy, where he and Helmeppo pique the interest of Vice Admiral Garp, who takes them under his wing.[ch. 2–7, 112] Eventually, Koby masters the Six Powers skill Shave and begins using Color of Observation Haki.[ch. 432, 594] In the original Japanese series, his voice is supplied by Mika Doi.[1] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by Kayzie Rogers.[2] In the Funimation English adaptation, his name is spelled Coby, and his voice is supplied by Leah Clark[3] and Micah Solusod as a teenager.

Borsalino (ボルサリーノ,Borusarīno?), better known as Admiral Kizaru (黄猿, lit. "Yellow Monkey"), is an easygoing navy officer with the power of the Logia-type Glint-Glint Fruit (ピカピカの実,Pika Pika no Mi), which allows him to turn himself into light, and fire destructive beams.[ch. 507, 511] The character's appearance is modeled after Kunie Tanaka.[ch. 558] His voice actor in the Japanese anime television series is Unshō Ishizuka.[31] In its Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Ray Hurd.[citation needed]

Monkey D. Garp (モンキー・D・ガープ,Monkī Dī Gāpu?), nicknamed Garp the "Fist" (ゲンコツのガープ,Genkotsu no Gāpu?) and "Hero of the Navy" (海軍の英雄,Kaigun no Eiyū?), is a Vice Admiral and the father of Monkey D. Dragon and the grandfather of Luffy.[ch. 432] He is famous for cornering Gol D. Roger[ch. 431] and considered a hero of the Navy.[ch. 432] After Roger's execution, he took care of Roger's son, Ace, raising him like his own grandson.[ch. 551] He has superhuman strength, enough to lift and throw cannonballs like baseball pitches.[ch. 438] Garp takes both Coby and Helmeppo under his wing. At the end of the war between Whitebeard, Garp retires from the front line and decides to train the next generation of navy personnel. He is voiced by Hiroshi Naka in the Japanese version of the anime.[16] In the English version of the series, he is voiced by Brian Mathis in the Funimation dub.[17]

Nefeltari Vivi (ネフェルタリ・ビビ,Neferutari Bibi?), first introduced as Baroque Works agent Ms. Wednesday (ミス・ウェンズデー,Misu Wenzudē), is the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom. She is usually accompanied by her closest friend, Karoo (カルー,Karū), an ostrich-sized, duck-like flightless bird.[ch. 109f.] Her voice actress is Misa Watanabe.[16] In the 4Kids English adaptation, she is voiced by Karen Neil.[11] In the Funimation English adaptation, her name is spelled Vivi Nefertari, and her voice is supplied by Caitlin Glass.[12] Vivi was ranked as #82 in a survey conducted by Newtype Japan for Favorite Anime Heroine in 2002.[56]

Portgaz D. Ace (ポートガス・D・エース,Pōtogasu Dī Ēsu?), also called "Fire Fist" Ace (火拳のエース,Hiken no Ēsu), is the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and Luffy's older brother.[ch. 157, 159] Though it is implied at first that he is the son of Monkey D. Dragon, he is actually the son of Gol D. Roger and Portgaz D. Rouge (ポートガス・D・ルージュ,Pōtogasu Dī Rūju).[ch. 525, 550] Having eaten the Logia-type Flame-Flame Fruit (メラメラの実,Mera Mera no Mi), Ace is capable of manipulating, creating and transforming into fire.[ch. 159] Additionally, Ace is capable of using the Color of the Supreme King.[ch. 587] Eventually, after being saved from execution, Ace shields Luffy from Akainu's magma attack at the cost of his own life.[ch. 574] He is voiced by Toshio Furukawa.[9] In the 4Kids English adaptation, his names are changed to Portgaz D. Trace and Trace "Heat Fist", and he is voiced by Jesse Hooker.[57] In the Funimation English adaptation, his name is spelled Portgas D. Ace, and his voice is supplied by Travis Willingham.[33]

Sabo (サボ?) is the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army and sworn brother to Luffy and Ace.[ch. 585, 744] Introduced as a noble from the Goa Kingdom years before the series' present, Sabo leaves his home and family to live in the Gray Terminal. After he and Ace befriend Luffy, the three of them exchange cups of sake and become "brothers". Sabo's ship is destroyed by a Celestial Dragon. Though he is thought to have been killed by the attack, Sabo survives and joins Revolutionary Army at some point afterwards and wins Ace's Devil Fruit, the Flame-Flame Fruit, in a tournament on Dressrosa.[ch. 744] After winning the tournament, Sabo eats the fruit and battles Admiral Fujitora and Jesus Burgess in efforts to protect Luffy. He is voiced by Tōru Furuya. nk,n,n

"Sengoku the Buddha" (仏のセンゴク,Hotoke no Sengoku?, Sengoku also being the name of a period in Japanese history) is a naval officer and contemporary of Roger who eventually rises to the rank of Fleet Admiral.[ch. 234, 434] The ability of the Mystical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model Buddha (ヒトヒトの実 モデル：大仏,Hito Hito no Mi, Moderu: Daibutsu) allows Sengoku to transform into a daibutsu.[ch. 585] Following the Paramount War, he retires from the service and, against his recommendation to promote Aokiji, is succeeded by Akainu.[ch. 650] In the Japanese anime television series, he is initially voiced by Takkō Ishimori.[32] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by Ed Blaylock.[33]

"Red-Haired" Shanks (赤髪のシャンクス,Akagami no Shankusu?) is a swordsman and pirate, capable of using the Supreme King color of Haki.[ch. 434] After serving aboard Roger's ship as an apprentice, alongside Buggy, he founds his own crew, the Red-Haired Pirates.[ch. 19, 434, 506] After losing an arm while saving seven-year-old Luffy's life and lending him his precious straw hat, Shanks goes on to earn himself a place among the Four Emperors.[ch. 1, 432] In the original Japanese series, his voice actor is Shūichi Ikeda.[1] In the 4Kids English adaptation, he is voiced by Tom Souhrada.[36] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice actor is Brandon Potter.[3]

"White Chase" Smoker (白猟のスモーカー,Hakuryō no Sumōkā?) is a naval officer and cigar enthusiast, keeping plenty of cigars strapped to the left side of his jacket while smoking two lit ones in his mouth.[ch. 98] The power of the Logia-type Plume-Plume Fruit (モクモクの実,Moku Moku no Mi) allows him to manipulate, create, control and transform into smoke.[ch. 100] His weapon is a jutte tipped with sea-prism stone.[ch. 169] In the Japanese anime series, he is voiced originally by Ginzō Matsuo, later by Mahito Ōba.[9][59] In the 4Kids English adaptation, referred to as Chaser the "Smoke Hunter", he is voiced by Scottie Ray.[60] In the Funimation English adaptation, where he is called Smoker the "White Hunter", his voice is supplied by Greg Dulcie.[30]

Tashigi (たしぎ?, named after the common snipe) is a naval officer serving as Smoker's second in command.[ch. 137, 179] While adept at sword fighting, she is unusually clumsy.[ch. 96] She is also very well-versed in the famous katana, knowing their names and origins. Her stated goal is to remove all meitō, named swords with prestigious histories, from the hands of those who would use them for their own ends.[ch. 97] By coincidence, she bears a striking resemblance to Kuina, Zoro's deceased childhood friend, something he is uncomfortable with.[40][ch. 100] Her voice actress is Junko Noda.[59] In the 4Kids and Funimation English adaptations, she is voiced by Priscilla Everett and Monica Rial, respectively.[30][60]

The "Surgeon of Death" (死の外科医,Shi no Gekai?), Trafalgar D. Water Law (トラファルガー・D・ワーテル・ロー,Torafarugā Dī Wāteru Rō, named after Edward Low and a play on Waterloo), is a doctor and captain of the Heart Pirates.[ch. 498, 508, 578, 763] Having eaten the Op-Op Fruit (オペオペの実,Ope Ope no Mi), Law can, within a spherical area around himself, cut and teleport objects as well as perform body swaps.[ch. 661] Originally a member of the Donquixote Family, Law makes a name for himself and, following the Paramount War, joins the Seven Warlords of the Sea.[ch. 659, 673] In the anime series, his voice actor is Hiroshi Kamiya.[58] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice actor is Matthew Mercer.

Edward Newgate (エドワード・ニューゲート,Edowādo Nyūgēto?), better known as Whitebeard (白ひげ,Shirohige, named after the historical pirate Edward "Blackbeard" Teach), is the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and one of the Four Emperors.[ch. 432, 474] He is a very large human who fights with a bisento as his weapon and uses the ability of the Paramecia-type Tremor-Tremor Fruit (グラグラの実,Gura Gura no Mi) to create shock waves powerful enough to cause earthquakes and tsunamis.[ch. 434, 552] He is regarded as the world's strongest man and the only one to have matched Gold Roger in combat.[ch. 233f.] He considers all his crewmen as his sons and protects them with all his might.[ch. 434] Eventually, after being heavily wounded while fighting to save Ace from execution, he is killed by the Blackbeard Pirates.[ch. 576] In the original Japanese series, he is voiced by Kinryu Arimoto.[50] In the Funimation English adaptation, his voice is supplied by R Bruce Elliott.[33]

Allen Divers of Anime News Network comments that the male character designs of One Piece are "often quite varied and unique", while the female ones become "a bit repetitive". He further notes that, as the characters are "defined by what they seek", there is little room "for actual development".[61] Todd Douglass, Jr. of DVD talk simply states that the series' characters have a lot of charm.[62] His colleague Carl Kimlinger describes the visual style of One Piece as "unconventional" with "grotesquely exaggerated expressions, simple eyes, big mouths and bigger teeth", "supremely ugly supporting characters and skinny, gangly-limbed main cast" and comments that "it's all amazingly distinctive, utterly appropriate, and surprisingly cool—in a goofy kind of way." He also notes that "Funimation's English dub is light-years better than the 4Kids debacle", "unusually accurate, professional, and largely enjoyable, which is far, far more than can be said of the previous dub", but laments that Funimation's version of "Crocodile loses his sepulchral charisma" and that "the original's fine dance on the edge of mawkish sentimentality is disrupted often enough by less-than-stellar acting". He also states that "Colleen Clinkenbeard's Luffy is more a generic spunky kid than a personality in his own right, really coming to life only during the action scenes during which she does a fine job of being darned cool."[63]

Dustin Somner of Blu-ray.com comments that the Japanese and Funimation voice-acting is "fairly good, but not exceptional" and sometimes "overly zany".[64] Todd Douglass Jr. of DVD talk notes "the daunting cast of characters, both good and bad" as "one of the appealing factors" of the anime, but also comments that "Some of the voices [of the 4Kids dub] were pretty irritating ... with a lot of high-pitches and over exaggerated speech."[65] Brigitte Schönhense of Splashcomics comments that the "brilliant" (German: "genial") flashbacks into the characters' pasts make them so "likeable and lovable" (German: "sympathisch und liebenswert") and that they are the manga's real strength.[66][67] Mania Entertainment writer Jarred Pine comments that Oda's characters are "whacky" and that his "bizarre" character designs create "wonderful characterizations and personalities". He notes the "well illustrated" facial expressions and says that "it's the whacky characterizations and designs that makes One Piece its own".[68] His colleague Bryce Coulter comments that "One Piece's bizarre character designs will keep your attention as they can be very random and often memorable. Not the prettiest, but it will definitely capture your attention."[6]